Marino to FAU, 4 others sign at Venice

VENICE - Venice football coach John Peacock worked the phones so often during the offseason to get his kids scholarships that his minutes on his plan ran out.

“Every month for the last three months,” Peacock said Wednesday morning during Venice’s signing day ceremony in the school cafeteria.

“This is the hardest it’s been since I’ve been here. But so far its paid off.”

Venice High School's from left Dane Dabney, Dom Marino, Maggie Flynn, Isaac Whitney and Terry Polk attended a press conference Wednesday Feb. 5, 2014 at Venice High School where they officially announced on National Signing Day which college they will be attending. ( Photo/ Matt Houston )

He’s sending Dom Marino to Florida Atlantic University, a Division I program, and two other athletes to I-AA schools: lineman Dane Dabney to Stetson University and defensive back Isaac Whitney to Brown University.

Running back Terry Polk, the area leader in rushing yards this season, decided on Norfolk State University over Ohio University later in the day. Peacock expects 6 or 7 other players to play at Division II programs in the fall.

Maggie Flynn, a 1,000-point scorer for the Indians girls’ basketball team, also signed, her pick St. Leo University in Florida.

The offer from FAU for Marino came very late, about a week ago. He visited the campus after the school expressed interest in having him there, a result of his father, Bill, constantly sending them video highlights and calling them.

“He got my film in front of the head coach,” said Dom Marino, who threw for 1,153 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2013.

“I can’t thank him enough for what he did. Everybody helped get my information out there: Coach Peacock and my uncle at Palmetto, too.”

Venice High School's Dom Marino signs on to play football at Florida Atlantic during a press conference Wednesday Feb. 5, 2014 at Venice High School. It was officially announced on National Signing Day. ( Photo/ Matt Houston )

Whitney, who scored an 1860 on his SAT, is the second Venice player to head to Brown, an Ivy league school, for football. Michael Archer was the first.

“There were many late nights where I had to tutor him to help him get into Brown,” Peacock joked.

“So it’s nice to see it actually happened.”

Peacock called Whitney one of his most consistent players who never let opposing teams pick on him.

“Every week we knew they were going to try to do it because of his size,” Peacock said.
Whitney finished the year with 39 tackles, 13 pass breakups and one interception. He also caught 11 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 19 times for 91 yards.

He said his favorite high school moment was when Venice beat Plano East this season.
“I was born there so that was nice,” he said.

Dabney is joining Stetson, a football program that opened its doors in 2011. He said his father, Fred, a Triple-A coach for the Milwaukee Brewers organization, has helped prepare him for the details he’ll need to pay attention to at the next level.

Venice High School's Maggie Flynn can't hold back her enthusiasm during a press conference Wednesday Feb. 5, 2014 at Venice High School. Is was officially announced on National Signing Day that she will be attending St. Leo University. ( Photo/ Matt Houston

“He said to really focus on the technique, the little things,” said Dabney, a lineman who played on both sides of the ball for the Indians.

Flynn won’t be far from home or her father, John, who coached her and helped her fine-tune her game.

“I definitely did not listen to him my freshman year. I’ll admit it. He said I needed to change my attitude,” Flynn said.

“By junior year I gave in. He’s been the biggest influence on me. He’s my best friend and my No. 1 fan.”

Solange Reyner

Solange Reyner is the assistant sports editor at the Sarasota Herald Tribune. She can be reached at (941) 361-4861.

Last modified: February 5, 2014
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